Yuneec 4K Typhoon Drone Review

5/4/2016 in category "Gadgets"1725

When it comes to the best drones for consumer and professional use, everyone tends to assume that there are no better quadcopters that DJI’s models. Although the well-known brand’s drones use impressive technologies, they have to deal with a massive competitor nowadays.

Yuneec, a Chinese manufacturer, has recently stepped in the scene, bringing a more affordable, easy to use, high-end drone that is capable of shooting 4K videos.

There are a large number of drone enthusiasts who don’t give enough credit to the new competitor…yet. What they probably don’t know is that Intel invested $60 million in this company’s technology and they are not the only ones. There are plenty of other companies and capitalists who have chosen to invest in the Shanghai-based Yuneec International Co.

This can only mean that their most controversial device, the Typhoon Q500 4K, is meant to pleasantly surprise the drone lovers community.

What do buyers get for the price?

The $1450 quadcopter has a beautiful design, it comes with a full toolset and a sturdy flight case. Here’s what you will find inside the case:

· Typhoon aircraft

· Ground station: ST10

· CGO SteadyGrip (for hand-held filming)

· CGO 4K camera (with gimbal)

· 2 batteries (LiPo)

· Rotor blades (2 sets)

· AC to Dc adapter

· Balancing charger

· USB adapter (can also be used as a charger and cable)

· Auto charger

· MicroSD card that contains tutorials (16GB)

· USB interface for programming

· Sun shield

· Installation tool

· Tweezer

· CGO 3 transport cover

Additionally, the box includes warning sheets for LED status and calibration, a user guide and two keys for the flight case. Basically, there is an entire arsenal included that can help any pilot install and fly the drone with ease.

Who can use it?

The entry price for the Chinese drone is nothing but low, but at the same time, it is much more affordable than most of DJI’s products. Not to mention that buyers don’t have to invest in other accessories after purchasing it, unless they want to add something unusual to it.

The Typhoon Q500 4K is suitable for hobbyist, as well as for professionals who require an advanced ground control system and the ability to shoot high-quality 4K videos.

Investing in this futuristic device is a smart choice, especially if your budget allows it.

The user guide that comes with this device is comprehensive, as well as the video tutorials. Therefore, users can learn how to fly the drone quickly and efficiently. More advanced drone pilots will find it very easy to get accustomed to it, thanks to its intuitive interface.

Tough design, impressive specs

Despite its bulky design, the Typhoon Q500 is visually appealing due to its curved surfaces. Some critics referred to it as “an oversized toy”, giving its plastic body, rotating blades and tiny camera. In reality, this device looks just like a normal drone and has a sturdy construction.

The power cable connects the drone’s body with the camera and several other parts. The quadcopter can be controlled by the remote control using a 2.4 GHz signal, while the display is connected to the camera using a 5.4 GHz signal. Both connections work perfectly fine.

The great thing about this device’s camera is the fact that it can be used with a hand accessory (the GCO SteadyGrip) for ground videos and photos. It is also compatible with most GoPro cameras.

What’s not so great about this feature is that the cam requires extra AA rechargeable batteries when used as a stand-alone camera.

This drone flies for up to 25 minutes, which is more than most drones’ flight time. It weighs 1.7 kg, including the battery and payload, which means that users don’t have to register it or to obtain certifications in order to fly it.

It has 3 flight modes: Smart, Angle and Home. When flying in the Smart mode, there are 3 other options: Follow me, Watch me and Home Mode. These are all options that allow the pilot to control the drone intuitively, to watch it constantly and to safely and automatically return it at the starting point.

The drone’s database is updated with the legal flight height and No Fly Zones. There’s more: the Smart Circle feature enables its built-in GPS, sending a command through which a geo-fence is built around the pilot. This means that the drone will fly in circles, following a 26-foot diameter at 300 feet high.

Need a drone that is easy to fly?

If you need a camera drone that includes an easy-to-use ground station and controller, then you should try the Typhoon Q500 4K.

The ground station is equipped with a 5.5 inch display with touch controls that excludes the need of extra installations such as portable devices.

It can be used to set the drone on and off, to take pictures and capture videos, to start and stop the motors, to choose the flight modes, to control the position, angle and speed and to navigate.

The camera’s interface allows users to adjust a wide variety of settings using the ground station, as well as the CGO3 smartphone app.

Shoot ultra-high definition videos

The camera’s 4K resolution is most users’ favorite feature. But that’s not all: it can also shoot slow motion videos at 1080p and 120 FPS. The 3-axis gimbal offers the camera amazing stability which is essential in order to capture high-quality pictures.

Another great feature of the camera is the No-Distorsion Lens which prevents the images from being distorded during the flight. If you are passionate about photography, too, then this 12 MP camera will impress you.

The Typhoon Q500 4K is definitely a rough competitor of DJI’s drones and other succesful quadcopter manufacturers. Its air and ground camera, innovative features and high-end technology that allows pilots to take clear, steady snaps and shots makes it a product that offer grea value for money.

Comparing to other 4K drones, Typhoon’s price is affordable and definitely suitable for first time buyers. Although not everyone will be completely satisfied with its large design, it is a device that is worth paying for.